The Neighborhood Gardener – July
Happy gardening!
Inviting Wildlife to Your Yard
Here in Florida, we’re lucky to have incredibly diverse wildlife. You can welcome wild creatures into your yard by doing a few simple things. Planting native plants that serve as a food source and providing water are a good start. More
Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program in DC for the Smithsonian Folklife Festival
The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is held every summer on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and offers visitors a glimpse at an incredible range of cultural and educational programs and displays. This year, the festival is celebrating 150 years of public and land grant institutions, and the University of Florida is there with its own booth. More
Plant of the Month: Peacock Ginger
Peacock gingers are shade-loving perennials that make great groundcovers here in Florida. Most bloom throughout the summer with small pink or purple flowers, but peacock gingers are best known for their beautiful leaves. Choose a spot that receives full or partial shade. Peacock gingers will tolerate a range of soils, though the plants will generally perform best in a rich, well-drained soil. More
July in Your Garden
Use summer heat as a tool to help you prepare the vegetable garden for fall planting. Soil solarization takes four to six weeks to kill weeds, disease-causing organisms, and nematodes, so start now. An inexpensive rain shut-off device can save you money by overriding your irrigation system when it rains. If one is already installed, check that it is operating properly.
For more month-by-month gardening tips, check out the Florida Gardening Calendar. Three different editions of the calendar provide specific tips for each of Florida's gardening regions—North, Central, and South. More
Friend or Foe? Friend: Fireflies
Fireflies, or lightning bugs, are harmless beetles that can light up summer nights, coming out at dusk or nightfall in woods or wetlands. Unfortunately, they're becoming harder to find. Some scientists think fireflies can be deterred by brightly lit urban areas, and that their populations may be decreasing because of mosquito spraying. To provide habitat for fireflies in your landscape, reduce or eliminate artificial lighting and keep pesticides to a minimum. More
Featured Shows on Gardening in a Minute
Success Stories
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